RANGERS continued their unbeaten run under boss Michael Beale thanks to a 2-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice. Second half goals from Fashion Sakala and Malik Tillman were enough to ensure the gap to Celtic remains at nine points in the Premiership title race.
A lacklustre first half gave supporters little to cheer as Rangers struggled to assert themselves as an attacking force and United created a couple of chances to give them hope of a shock win.
It would prove in vain, though. Rangers once again improved after the break and were well worth their victory in the end as Beale was able to give Kemar Roofe a late run-out on his return from injury.
FAINT TITLE DREAMS STILL ALIVE
It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. After a first half that should never be spoken of again, Rangers moved through the gears and were comfortable as a deserved three points were collected.
Sakala broke the deadlock with a terrific finish on the angle as Rangers finally produced a moment of quality and cutting edge. Just minutes later, Tillman showed real composure to slot home the second and it was a case of job done there and then.
Beale has spoken about being performance happy and result happy in recent weeks. Right now, only one of those issues really matters and this was a fifth win in six matches as manager.
The levels will need to rise sooner rather than later but the points are the main prerogative for Rangers and Celtic are still just about within sight following their win over Kilmarnock on Saturday.
The League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen and Scottish Cup trip to St Johnstone will be defining for Beale. The knock-out competitions were always going to be his best chance of silverware this term and landing two winners’ medals would be a sign of progress as well as a statement of intent.
This victory won’t shape those aspirations but it did ensure the unbeaten run was extended and the momentum ticked over once again. In that regard, it served an important purpose for Rangers on an evening that won’t be fondly recalled come the end of the season.
CURIOUS KEEPER CALL
It has been a strange old season to be a Rangers goalkeeper. Three of them – Allan McGregor, Jon McLaughlin and Robby McCrorie – feel that they should be first choice but the gloves are seemingly still up for grabs more than a week into the New Year.
McLaughlin started the campaign between the sticks as he got the vote of confidence from Giovanni van Bronckhorst and then paid the price for the four-goal humiliations against Celtic and Ajax. When he lost his place and McGregor returned, just a couple of months after seemingly making his farewell appearance at Hampden, it looked like the writing was on the wall.
A cup run out against Dundee and clean sheet against Ross County, as McGregor missed out through illness, didn’t look like auditions for a recall. Yet, here he was as Beale pitched him back into Premiership action and McGregor was dropped to the bench.
Beale hinted at McLaughlin’s ability to command his area as one of the reasons for his surprise nod as he insisted that the former Scotland shot-stopper deserved some ‘oxygen’. McLaughlin had little to do during a low key first half and almost nothing to contend with in the second.
McCrorie once again had to sit in the stands. Since signing a new long-term contract in October, the 24-year-old has failed to play a minute of first team football and he continues to find his opportunities blocked by two keepers who have no long-term future at Ibrox.
Beale confirmed a couple of weeks ago that he had no plans to sign a goalie during the January transfer window. It has to be a priority come the summer, though.
If McCrorie is seen as the future, he should be given his chance sooner rather than later. If he is deemed not good enough then Rangers will need to make three signings to cover one position.
COLAK WILL TAKE TIME TO GET BACK UP TO SPEED
The return of Antonio Colak has been anticipated since Beale replaced Van Bronckhorst as boss. Indeed, this was the first time the Croatian has featured under the Englishman.
A return of 11 goals from 14 Premiership starts was an impressive return from the first half of the campaign and Colak will need to replicate that form if Rangers are to stand any chance of keeping themselves in the title race in the coming months.
It is fair to say he was short of sharpness here. An early shot that Mark Birighitti gathered easily was all Colak had to show for the first 45 minutes and he didn’t reappear after the break as Alfredo Morelos entered the action and made a difference.
There is a sense at times that if Colak doesn’t score then he doesn’t contribute an awful lot. His record speaks for itself but his all-round game is not as effective as Morelos and it was noticeable that Rangers failed to hold the ball up during his time on the park.
Colak will still have a role to play this term and a potential partnership with Morelos is an intriguing proposition for supporters. Like his individual fortunes, that will take time to build up.
NEW RECRUITS MUST HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
Beale revealed on Friday that he was closing in on his first signings of the window after holding positive face-to-face discussions with potential recruits in recent days. That news was more than welcomed by a support that have long questioned the quality of this group and the value for money return that Rangers are seeing right now.
The squad that Beale inherited from Van Bronckhorst last month is certainly not tight in terms of numbers when everyone is fit and available for selection. There would have been a temptation to wait for the injury situation to clear and try and get by until the summer but the promise of new faces tells its own story and Beale is determined to recruit players who will improve the starting line-up straight away and go on to be integral parts of his blueprint in the coming years.
Midfield is certainly one area that is in need of an injection of quality and it is no surprise to see Rangers linked with potential recruits to strengthen the central ranks. A new deal for John Lundstram could also be on the cards at Ibrox.
The first moves that Beale makes in the window will be interesting. The summer will surely bring sweeping changes to this squad but shrewd acquisitions could make all the difference as Rangers eye a cup double and try to keep Celtic in their sights.
THERE WILL BE FRUSTRATION FOR FOX
Impressive wins over Ross County and St Johnstone ensured spirits were high in the United camp ahead of this Premiership clash. That will only add to the feeling of what might have been for Liam Fox.
Matches with Rangers will not determine their fate this term and this was a free-hit in many ways. It was one that the hosts could have made more of as they equipped themselves well and looked just as likely as Rangers to claim the win when the whistle blew at the break.
The quickfire strikes from Sakala and Tillman took the game away from United and Fox’s side couldn’t cope once Rangers stepped it up. They had to capitalise before Rangers got going and earlier near misses – as Steven Fletcher twice came close and Liam Smith fired wide from the edge of the area – ultimately proved costly for United.
They remain level on points with Motherwell following their defeat to Hibernian and eleventh in the standings on goal difference. Trips to Hibs and Livingston over the next few days will be far more indicative and defining after a frustrating evening on home soil.
